News Disney mask policy at Walt Disney World theme parks

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ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Tom P. said:
I do not want to run afoul of @wdwmagic and his request that we not debate masks in general, so I'll try to limit my comments to those that pertain to Disney's situation.

But these last several posts are the reason why you can't compare Disney's decision-making calculus last year to the current situation. Last year, there was widespread public support for Covid mitigation measures, including masking. Florida was by no means the only state without a mask mandate, but there were certainly a good number of states that had them. Most entertainment venues were enforcing masks, proof of vaccination, or both, even if Universal wasn't.

Today, the public winds have shifted. Despite a vocal minority online (which is not representative of real life), you can just look around you and see that the public at large does not want masking anymore and, in many cases, isn't even willing to comply if there is a rule in place. Virtually *everyone* is dropping mask requirements at this point. And that's what the public wants. In very short order, Disney is going to be left as the only place that requires masks.

Disney may be very cautious, but they do not want to be enforcing something that no one else has and the vast majority of the public does not want. And, whether you agree it's the right direction or not, that's where we are right now. I would be surprised if the mask mandate at Disney lasts beyond this week. I would be absolutely shocked if it lasts beyond this month. Disney is going to drop it. The only question left is when.
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Never mind the fact that sometime this spring, people will simply throw their masks out.
 
Tom P.

Tom P.

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Maybe we should start a betting pool on the exact timing of the announcement, with the winner getting a day at the Magic Kingdom with Katiebug.
 
Ayla

Ayla

Well-Known Member
Mark52479 said:
We cant really compare today to last year.

@ToTBellHop brings up that point.

Last year Florida was pretty much the only state that had no mask mandate so it was very prudent of Disney to have masks. Now, there are NO states left with mask mandates (just read DC ends their mask mandate on Feb 28)

So, as of Feb 28 its very possible Disney would be the one of the few places left in the country that has a mask mandate. I am sorry, but in so many different ways I cant see Disney wanting to be in that position.
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Hawaii has a mask mandate.
 
Incomudro

Incomudro

Well-Known Member
helenabear said:
Same - we saw the same uptick and seeing a higher drop off now. And I absolutely expect that in our schools kids to continue to wear masks the 2 weeks between the school system dropping and spring break. Why? My area is known for a lot of break travel and parents don't want to mess that up if going to a place like Europe or Hawaii.

Mask usage was huge around the holidays. I'm noticing a drop off again though we're really cold again today. Mask usage outdoors not oddly is higher when cold ;)
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Yes, I found myself double checking the signs on the outside doors of my local supermarket, or Home Depot - as at times it seemed like I was the only customer inside not wearing one.
 
correcaminos

correcaminos

Well-Known Member
Incomudro said:
Yes, I found myself double checking the signs on the outside doors of my local supermarket, or Home Depot - as at times it seemed like I was the only customer inside not wearing one.
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Some cities here have mandates and even those I am seeing far from 99% compliance. I saw more today but it wasn't 20 out at the time so I expect more in the cold. Many of us realized they were better than scarves. It's going to be 60 this week though and I expect to see maybe half even in places with mandates (outside of schools) even. I'm good with it.
 
Incomudro

Incomudro

Well-Known Member
helenabear said:
Some cities here have mandates and even those I am seeing far from 99% compliance. I saw more today but it wasn't 20 out at the time so I expect more in the cold. Many of us realized they were better than scarves. It's going to be 60 this week though and I expect to see maybe half even in places with mandates (outside of schools) even. I'm good with it.
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Yeah, they were fine in the cold - even though my outings don't leave me exposed for too long.
I dash from the car, to the store, and back again.
I'd imagine if I hadn't retired, and still waited outside for the express bus that a mask would have given some welcome warmth.
I actually purchased one of those gaiters when "face coverings" was part of the rule. (mine was/is a double layer item)
The idea being that I'd just wear it around my neck, and pull it up when entering stores.
I figured it would be more convenient, I wouldn't have to worry about walking out of my car and forgetting my mask in it, and yes - I figured it would offer some degree of warmth.
But in practice, I rarely hit more than one store a day (usually a supermarket) and it really didn't turn out to be any more convenient.
 
correcaminos

correcaminos

Well-Known Member
Incomudro said:
Yeah, they were fine in the cold - even though my outings don't leave me exposed for too long.
I dash from the car, to the store, and back again.
I'd imagine if I hadn't retired, and still waited outside for the express bus that a mask would have given some welcome warmth.
I actually purchased one of those gaiters when "face coverings" was part of the rule. (mine was/is a double layer item)
The idea being that I'd just wear it around my neck, and pull it up when entering stores.
I figured it would be more convenient, I wouldn't have to worry about walking out of my car and forgetting my mask in it, and yes - I figured it would offer some degree of warmth.
But in practice, I rarely hit more than one store a day (usually a supermarket) and it really didn't turn out to be any more convenient.
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I do plan on keeping my cloth ones for when I'm outside more. I'm a life long Midwesterner but suck royally in the cold. So they will legitimately replace my scarves. Smaller too so much better in that way.

I had a gaiter too for our summer times at the zoo where it was required. It was easier putting it on and off for the buildings. Had Disney allowed for them (mine is 2 layers and passes the candle test) I would've use it. Far easier to leave around the neck than trying to store the mask.
 
T

Trauma

Well-Known Member
Not Disney related I’m sorry, but I have to admit I have been confused with mandates locally.

The mandate has not been lifted in Illinois.

Go to Home Depot and the 10 mask signs you had to walk past to get in are all gone. Inside masks where 50/50.

Went to the gas station this morning went inside for a snack.

Mask sign is gone. No one is wearing a mask including the employees. I had my mask on because I’m used to it being required.

I said to the employee “hey did you drop the mask mandate in here?”

He responded back “Hey I don’t know man” before going back to staring at his phone and ignoring everyone.

I’m glad the mask mandates are going away but it feels weird when everywhere you go your not exactly sure what the rules are.
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
Trauma said:
Not Disney related I’m sorry, but I have to admit I have been confused with mandates locally.

The mandate has not been lifted in Illinois.

Go to Home Depot and the 10 mask signs you had to walk past to get in are all gone. Inside masks where 50/50.

Went to the gas station this morning went inside for a snack.

Mask sign is gone. No one is wearing a mask including the employees. I had my mask on because I’m used to it being required.

I said to the employee “hey did you drop the mask mandate in here?”

He responded back “Hey I don’t know man” before going back to staring at his phone and ignoring everyone.

I’m glad the mask mandates are going away but it feels weird when everywhere you go your not exactly sure what the rules are.
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I’ve felt that way for 6 months, honestly.
 
Incomudro

Incomudro

Well-Known Member
helenabear said:
I do plan on keeping my cloth ones for when I'm outside more. I'm a life long Midwesterner but suck royally in the cold. So they will legitimately replace my scarves. Smaller too so much better in that way.

I had a gaiter too for our summer times at the zoo where it was required. It was easier putting it on and off for the buildings. Had Disney allowed for them (mine is 2 layers and passes the candle test) I would've use it. Far easier to leave around the neck than trying to store the mask.
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I would think about bringing my gaiter for our March trip to WDW (if it passes specs) because it would be far more convenient than putting on and removing a mask, stuffing them in my pockets, possibly dropping and losing them...
But it'd probably be too warm to wear around my neck by late March with the exception of some unusually cold nights.
Who knows? Maybe I'll pack it anyway, it's not like it takes up any room.
It appears to me that masks will be dropped by then though.
 
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L

Lilofan

Well-Known Member
Incomudro said:
I would think about bringing my gaiter for our March trip to WDW (if it passes specs) because it would be far more convenient putting on and removing a mask, stuffing them in my pockets, possibly dropping and losing them...
But it'd probably be to warm to wear around my neck by late March with the exception of some unusually cold nights.
Who knows? Maybe I'll pack it anyway, it's not like it takes up any room.
It appears to me that masks will be dropped by then though.
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Cold nights in late March at WDW? Mid 50s at night may be cold to some.
 
Incomudro

Incomudro

Well-Known Member
Lilofan said:
Cold nights in late March at WDW? Mid 50s at night may be cold to some.
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Yes, we went to WDW some time in March years ago.
Some nights and some mornings were cold enough for sweat jackets.
I don't know how comfortable I'd be with a gaiter around my neck in those temps though.
But who knows?
We could get unusually cold, or unusually warm weather - or anything between.
Heck, here in central NJ it was in the 20's today and will be above 50 by Thursday.
 
correcaminos

correcaminos

Well-Known Member
Incomudro said:
I would think about bringing my gaiter for our March trip to WDW (if it passes specs) because it would be far more convenient than putting on and removing a mask, stuffing them in my pockets, possibly dropping and losing them...
But it'd probably be too warm to wear around my neck by late March with the exception of some unusually cold nights.
Who knows? Maybe I'll pack it anyway, it's not like it takes up any room.
It appears to me that masks will be dropped by then though.
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WDW won't allow gaiters. So I use surgical masks there. I have really long hair so used to things covering my neck. I had no issues wearing in the upper 90s to just around 100 degree temps in the summer of 2020. But hopefully it won't be an issue for you. I wound up doing surgical style masks for my last few trips.

Lilofan said:
Cold nights in late March at WDW? Mid 50s at night may be cold to some.
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A handful of years ago our high in mid March was 55. Overnight it got to about 40. I saw people wearing Uggs in the parks.

As I said I am a wuss in the cold. In November we had a night in the 50s. My friend and I kept our masks on because we were cold outside 😂
 
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